Lecture 5 Fall 2016
Life and Death The life expectancy of a colonial America was short. Estimated statistics peering back to the 18th century indicate the average life expectancy was the age of 45 and individual in their 40 s and 50 s were considered old. Between 10 to 20% of all women from colonial period died in childbirth or from childbirth related disease. The infant mortality rate was also high. If a child could reach the age of eleven, they stood a better chance at survival. Examples of common illness of the colonial time period: small pox, pneumonia, scarlet fever, rickets, cholera
Daily or Seasonal fears: As the Spanish soon realized, this new colony was a land of a small amount of resources, with a harsher climate than central Mexico. Farming in a dry agricultural area required an irrigation system. Periods of droughts or Periods of flooding (flash flooding) Ranching with animals and possible lose: death from disease, wild animals and stealing. Health-sickness, child birth, variety of diseases and injuries for example: head ache, tooth ache, broken bone, burns, eye sight/ blindness
Between the late 18 th century and the beginning of the twentieth Santeros depicted 160 subjects that fall into five main groups: 1. The divine persons- God the Father, Christ, and the Holy Sprit and they acted in a preserve of their own, that of eternal salvation 2. Mary according to various titles or advocations (Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, etc.) 3. The angles These two groups ( Mary and the Angels) acted in a middle realm 4. The male and female saints The saint take care of the more earthly needs 5. The impersonal and allegorical subjects New Mexico Santos came from three main sources: Universal church, Franciscan saints and Spanish saints
The Hispanos fears and hopes fell into three categories: 1. Supernatural- To fulfill their hope for eternal salvation and calm their fear of punishment, New Mexicans turned to the divine persons: God the Father, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit and especially to Jesus in his passion and death. Salvation came to men and women from a divine source: God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and especially the son as an Adult Christ in his Passion. The divine persons act in a preserve of their own, that of eternal salvation.
Nuestro Padre Dios God the Father Marie Romero de Cash RU 78 Source: Biblical-celestial Feast day: No special Feast day Patronage: Enlightenment, aid, and fortitude; paternity A single man, bearded, often with a pointed crown, often with a triangular halo He is holding his right hand in blessing, often with a book or power symbol in his left hand a lightning-bolt or an arrow.
The Holy Trinity La Santísima Trinidad José Aragón Kingdom of the Saints, pg 120 Feast day June Sunday after Pentecost A representation of the three divine persons (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) that constitute God as a being. Among New Mexican santos, the Trinity is most often depicted as three identical men belonging to one body. They often sit on a stylized globe representing the world. In Europe this image was forbidden in the 18 th century but persisted with New Mexico santeros. 7
La Santísima Trinidad The Holy Trinity, 1983 The Vertical Trinity Symeon Carmona RU 105 A representation of the three divine persons (God the Father in the center, God the Son like the Pieta and God the Holy Spirit as a dove) Holy Trinity is prayed for enlightenment, favors of immediate need, thanksgiving, faith, harmony, peace and protection against all temptation and all enemies.
Cristo Crucificado Pedro Antonio Fresquis A Century of Retablos The Janis and Dennis Collection of New Mexico Santos, pg 29 The most important symbol of Christianity is the cross and its association with the forgiveness of sins through Christ's ultimate sacrifice to humankind. Sometimes Christ is depicted still alive, other times he is already dead Petitions concerning the salvation of the world, acceptance of suffering, faith, pardon for sins, sanctity, all needs and a peaceful death This symbolism expresses his love for humanity and the central importance of the saving blood of Christ for heavenly redemption and eternal life. 9
Santo Niño de Atocha, 1840-60 (Holy Child of Atocha) Santo Niño Santero Regis Collection RU 562 Feast day: December 25 A child, always seated, in pilgrim's dress (broad-brimmed hat, staff with gourd, shoes), with a basket which generally contains roses. The staff is often decorated with ribbons; the ankles are occasionally shackled together. During the Moorish occupation of Spain, The Christ Child appeared to Christian prisoners with a basket of bread and a gourd of water. El Santo Niño de Atocha is often prayed to by prisoners, soldiers and their families. He is also the patron of travelers, and those who are lost and who are held captive by Indians.
2. Preternatural -To allay their fears of witchcraft and Satan, his demons, and the storms and diseases associated with air, the people turned to the Virgin Mary, the archangels, and angels. The Blessed Virgin, the Christ Child, and the Angels overcome the power of Satan and witches embodied in death and illness. New Mexicans of all ethnic back grounds: Hispanos, Navajos and Pueblo Indians believed firmly in witchcraft and the three people s trades tales about the supernatural. Mary has a position superior to that of the angles but not equal to that of the God the Father or Christ. Mary was a protective mother who was a strong helper and sturdy defender against Satin. Gender reversal roles Virgin Mary/Nuestra Senora-Various titles or advocations
Nuestra Señora de Carmen Our Lady of Mount Carmel Antonio Mollen, 1800-20 Regis Collection RU 91 Feast day July 18 This advocation of the Virgin correctly wears a brown flowered robe with a yellow panel a crown, and holds the Christ Child and a scapular. Scapular a small membership badge made of rough wool cloth to help souls in purgatory. The Scapular is a symbol of Mary s protection. Patronage: Against all dangers, especially hell (monsters); in the hour of death. She helps souls who are trapped in purgatory. Alabados (Great hymns of Hispanic New Mexico) Your scapular is the Sacred Chain With which the big dragon Can bond
Nuestra Señora de Solidad Our Lady of Solitude Arroyo Hondo Santero (active 1830s) New Kingdom of Saints, pg 246 She is the Virgin Mary between the Death and the Resurrection and again between the her own death and her Ascension into heaven. Mary is dressed in a very nun-like black and white or occasionally black and red; she rarely holds anything in her hands New Mexican images that refer to the Virgin after the Crucifixion Patroness against loneliness; consolation in mourning and grief; happy death; widow, and childless 13
Nuestra Señora de Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows) Pedro Antonio Fresquis Kingdom of the Saints, pg 41 Feast day: Friday before Palm Sunday and September 16 Mary standing with her hands folded with a sword or seven swords piercing her heart. She is wearing a red gown a cowl and sometimes wearing a crown. A single sword of sorrow caused by crucifixion of her son Jesus and the sword pierces her heart Compassion for others in sorrow; help with children, help in childbirth 14
Nuestra Senora de la Luz Our Lady of Light Quill Pen Santero Feast day: May 21 Patronage: Rescue from Hell or Purgatory; return of those who have left the church or of a husband who has abandoned his wife. The presentation of Mary as a savior from enclosure in a monster who symbolizes Hell (or perhaps Purgatory).
Four angles are frequently shown in New Mexico: Arch Angels Gabriel, Raphael, Michael and the Guardian Angel The angles served to guide the soul into the afterlife and they represented an elder brother figures.
Saint Gabriel the Archangel, 1996 San Gabriel Arcangel Patricia Morgan Regis Collection RU 414 Feast day March 22 or 24 Winged, holding a monstrance, a chalice, or the trumpet with which he will announce the end of the world; Patronage: Enlightenment; informing God of our good works, announcing our arrival in heaven; protecting small children. San Gabriel is also the angel holding a cup under Christ s wound on the side of the cross
Saint Michael the Archangell San Miguel Arcángel, 1989 Don Headlee Regis Collection RU 153 Feast days May 8 and September 29 Clad often in armor and crowned, holding balance-scales and a sword or spear, standing on a snakelike monster. He weighs souls in the pans of his balance scales, sometimes marked with a cross for eternal life and a zero for punishment. Patron of soldiers; guardian of small children. Michael's main task is battle against the devil and all his symbols.
San Rafael Arcángel Saint Raphael the Archangel, 1977 George Lopez Regis Collection RU 53, Feast day October 24 Rafael is shown in pilgrim s tunic and staff, with gourd for water and carrying a fish. Patron of travelers, protector against eye trouble, protector against monsters. His name signifies, "God has healed".
3. Natural The New Mexican relied on a whole range of saints who could be petitioned for relief of Natural needs. To seek family happiness, recovery from normal illnesses, protection from nomadic tribes, good weather to foster the fertility of animals and crops, etc., The saints take care of more earthy needs. They too were elder brother and sisters to mankind. The New Mexicans turned to saints such as St. Anthony of Padua, St. Joseph, St. James, St. Barbara, Saint Isidore the Farm worker, and Rita of Cascia (or Rosalie of Palermo).
Saint Anthony of Padua San Antonio de Padua Fray Andres Garcia 1748-78 Regis Collection RU 85 Feast day: June 13 Lived 1195-1232 Patronage: Finder of lost articles, and of lost animals especially burros and cattle Patron of the home; invoked by by girls to find a worthy husband; married women who want to have children He is holding a palm, a lily, or a flowering branch, he holds the Niño who is dressed in red (symbolizes sacrifice).
San Isidro Labrador ( Saint Isidore the Plowman) Luis Aragón, 1973, Regis Collection, RU033 Feast day May 15 Lived 1070-1130 Shown in farmer's garb, usually with a broad brimmed hat, often with a walking staff, or hocking iron; an angel guides a plow pulled by two oxen. He is the patron saint of farmers and laborers, in general. His image is carried in procession through the fields as a blessing for a good harvest on his feast day of May 15th.
Saint John the Baptist San Juan Bautista, 1974 Luis Aragon RU 38 Feast day: June 24 and August 29 He is dressed in a hermit's cloak, holding a shepherd's staff with a cross on top and sometime with a lamb in his arms or by his side. Patronage: of sheep and shepherds and of the purity of water, all of which was believed to become pure on June 24.
Saint Lawrence San Lorenzo James Cordova 1995 RU 251 Feast day August 10 Died: about 258 San Lorenzo will control the wind Protector against fire; patron of the poor, of crops during August, and of chickens
Saint James Conqueror of the Moor Santiago Matamoros Santuario de Chimayo Antonio Molleno Patronage: of warriors, especially when fighting the enemies of the church; patron of horsemen, of the sowing of fields. He appeared at various battles fought by the Spanish against both Moors and Native Americans In the New World no less than fourteen apparitions of Santiago in battles between Spanish and Indians are recorded. One of these was in aid of Onate during an Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico in 1599.
Santa Rita de Casia Laguna Follower 1790 RU 799 Feast day May 22 Lived 1381-1457 She is wearing a nun's habit, holding a cross and a skull, occasionally with a wound on her forehead or the full stigmata. By her parents' wish, she married a man who turned out to be a bad husband; She became a nun when her husband and her two sons all died Patronage: of girls in need of husbands, of marriage, of mothers, of those in bad marriages, of all who must bear suffering; for the impossible.
Saint Raymond Nonnatus San Ramón Nonato José Rafael Aragón New Kingdom of the Saints pg 213 Feast day August 31 Lived 1204-1240 He wears red or orange cloak over white robes and holds a monstrance and wand bearing three crowns, symbols of the earthly honors that he rejected. He spent his life ransoming captive Christians from a Moorish African. Because of his cesarean birth he became patron midwives in New Mexico. Patronage: of pregnant women, women in childbed, and the unborn; patron of secrecy for the Penitentes; protector against being slandered or cursed; protector of captives and those oppressed by the infidel. 27